Belt buckle



l, H935., A, H NAGEL i ,UZ

BELT BUCKLE Filed Feb. 20. 1935 Patented Nov. 12, 1935 2,020,371 BELT BUCKLE Armin HQ Nagel, Chicago, Ill., assigner to libboloid Novelty Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application February 20, 1935, Serial No. 7,367

11 Claims. V(Cl. ,Z4- 191) This invention relates generally to belt buckles, and more particularly to an improved belt buckle of the clamping lever type.

An object of the invention is to provide in a belt bucklet of the character described anovel and improved construction of clamping lever,

' whereby a more positive gripping action on the belt may be had while at the same time avoiding Y the danger of cutting into or otherwise causing injury to the belt.

Another object of the invention is toV provide in a belt buckle of the character described a novel and improved clamping lever having a relatively wide ange portion adapted for engagement with the belt when in gripping relation therewith, the face of the ange contacting the belt being provided with means in the form of a suction cup,

said means being effective for securely holding the belt when in locked position against slipping with the result that a secure and positive grip is obtained without the danger of cutting or otherwise causing injury to the belt.

A still further object of this invention is to provide in a buckle of the character described a novel and improved clamping lever having a loop sec` belt in the gripping position is provided .with

suction means, which means may be in the forml of a single depression extending across the entire face of the flange portion of the lever or a plurality of spaced depressions arranged along the contacting face of the flange portion of the lever.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a belt buckle of the character described a novel and improved clamping lever having-integrally formed therewith a flange portion adapted for gripping and clamping the belt at `any desired point, said flange portion having suction means associated therewith and adapted for facilitating in holding the belt in locked position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a belt buckle of the character described which will be simple in construction, assembly and operation, which may be produced along lines convenient for low cost manufacture, having only a few V parts which will not readily gert out of order and which will be highly eiiicient for carrying out the purposes for which it is designed.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which Vwill appear as the description proceeds, theinvention consists in certain novel features 5 of construction, arrangement and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the 10 form, proportion, size and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantage of A the invention.

For the purpose of facilitating an understand- 15 ing of my invention, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawing a preferred embodiment thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, my invention, its mode of construction, aszoV sembly and operation, and many of its advantages, should be readily understood and appreciated.

Referring to theV drawing in which the same characters of reference are employed to indicate 25 corresponding or similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front face view of a belt buckle embodying my invention showing a portion of the belt associated therewith; 30

Fig. 2 is an end elevational View of belt buckle embodying my invention with the clamping lever thereon being shown in open position and the buckle itself being shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on 35 substantially line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a. sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a modified form of clamping lever; 40

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of a still further modified form of my invention; and

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional View taken sub-` stantially along lines 'l--l of Fig. 6.

Referring to the drawing more specifically by 45 characters Vof reference, the numeral I designates a belt having the free end 2 and being provided with a belt buckle having a front plate 3, which plate has the rearwardly extending flanges 4, which anges are then bent inwardly towards each 50 other to form the flanges 5 arranged substantially parallel to the front plate 3. The rear edges of the anges 5 are cut away and rolled up to form the loops E, within which loops is eccentrically pivotally mounted my improved clamping lever 55 generally designated by the reference character I0.

The clamping lever per se comprises a loop section II having the loop I2 formed therein, within which loop is secured the end 1 of the belt I, the other free end of the belt being held in locked position by the clamping lever I0 in a manner to be presently more fully described. The gripping member of the clamping lever comprises afiange I3 which is formed substantially at right angles to the loop section II, said flange being of substantially rectangular formation and having a rela.-Y tively wide face Id, which face is adapted for engagement with the free extremity of the belt to hold the same in any desired. position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

Extending from each end of the flange I3 adjacent the bottom edge thereof is a trunnion I5, which trunnion is of cylindrical shape andi isadapted for disposition within the loops 5 for pivotal movement therein. As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, the trunnions lie substantially in the same plane with the bottom edge I1 of the ange I3, whereas the upper edge I4, which is the contacting edge of the lever, is spaced a considerable distance from said trunnions, as shown in Fig. 4. Thus when the lever II is swung to the position shown in Fig. 3 it will be effective for wedging or clamping the free extremity of the belt between the face I4 of the flange and the face plate 3 of the buckles where as when moved to its unlocking position, the side edge I6 of the flange I3 will be brought in substantially parallel relation to the face plate 3, in which position it will readily be sapparent that the free extremity of the belt may be readily moved between the clamping lever and the face plate 3.

Although a comparatively strong hold may be had by reason of the wedging action just described when the lever I I is moved to the position shown in Fig. 3, there is the possibility that slipping may occur from this locked position. In order, therefore, to avoid any such slipping and to obtain a more positive and secure hold, the upper face I6 of the flange is providedV with a plurality of annular depressions I8, which depressions are adapted to act in the manner of suction cups when brought into contacting engagement with the belt. These suction cups I8 will co-operate with the comparatively smooth belt surface to create a vacuum in each of said cups, these vacuums then being effective for retaining the belt against slipping. In this manner, the clamping action on the belt is obtained not by portions of the lever cutting into or biting into the belt, the result of which may result in injury to the belt, but by the action of the suction cups on the belt, therebyresulting in a positive grip on the belt, while at the same time avoiding the possibility of any injuryl to the belt. The comparatively wide gripping face of the flange with the plurality of cups which may be provided on said face will ensure at all times a very sesure hold on the belt when the clamping lever is in operative position.

In the modified form of clamping lever shown in Fig. 5, the construction of said lever is substantially the same as the one shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the only difference being in the structure of the contacting face of the ange I3. As shown in this figure the lever comprises the loop sections I I having the loop I2 provided therein and the flange portion I3 adjacent the lowerfedge of which are provided at each end thereof the trunnions I5 for disposition within the loops 6 of the belt buckle 3. The contacting face of the flange 'I3 of this form is provided with an elongated depression 20 extending across substantially the entire face of the ange and being surrounded on all four sides thereof by the upstanding flange 2 I. The depression 2!) forms a suction cup which in operative position will be effective for securely 5 locking the belt and holding the same at any desired point. In this form, the depression 20 performs the same function as the plurality of suction cups I8 described in connection with the construction shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. 10

In the modified form shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the clamping lever is constructed somewhat differently from the forms hereinbefore described, in -that the flange portion 25 is formed by bending the body of. thelever I0" adjacent one end thereof 15 upwardly to form one wall 26 of the flange 25 and then back upon itself to form the contacting face 21',.the other face 28 of said flange being formed by bending the loop section 29 of the lever upwardly to engage the wall 21 of the flange. The 20 loopsection 29 is provided with a loop 30. for receiving onerend of the belt.

In order to facilitate the holding action of the lever, the contacting face 21 of the flange is provided With a plurality of suction cups. 3I. similar 25. tothe cups I8 shown in connection with theform shown in Figs. 2, 3. and 4. The face 21 is also4 provided with a longitudinally disposed ridge 32 whichy willfurther facilitate and aid in the holding action of the lever. In this form, the trunnions` 33. 30 are stamped from the body of the lever, said trunnions lying substantially in the same plane with' the loop section and are adapted for reception within theV loops 6 in the manner described in connection with the other forms. 35VVV From the above the manufacture, assembly and operation of my improved. buckle should be readily understood. The foregoing lever I Il therefor may be formed from cast metal when constructed in the form shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, or the same 40 may be stamped or bent to the desired shape when formed in the manner shown in Figs. 6 and '1.

'I'he operation of the device should be readily understood asV the clamping lever when assembled with thel buckle proper will when in one position be 45V in inoperative relation with respect to the free extremity of the belt I, and when swung to its other position will securely clamp the belt and hold the same at any desired point, the clamping effect being accomplished without the danger of causing injury toV the belt by cutting into the same with the result that the body of the belt is eventually damaged at the point usually engaged by the clamping lever and thus becomes ineffective for securely holding the' b elt at that particular 56 point. This diiiiiculty or disadvantage ls readily eliminated in the present construction by reason of the fact that the holding action is due to the suction cup arrangement provided on` the contacting face of the flange of the contacting lever, 60 thereby a rigid hold may be had without the lever having to bite into or out into the belt body.

It is believed that my invention, its mode of construction and assembly, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and ap- 65 preciated from the foregoing without further description, and it should also be manifest that while preferred embodiments of the invention has been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural details are', nevertheless, ca- 70 pable of wide variation Within the purview of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

:1. In combination with a belt buckle body ofthe 75,1-

character described, of a clamping lever, said lever having a loop section and *af-flange portion, said flange portion being of substantially rectangular formation and being eccentrically mounted on saidbuckle body for pivotal movement relative to theffront plate ofsaid-belt buckle body, whereby said flange portion will be inoperatitve forclamping the free extremity of the belt when moved to one position and will be operative for holding the belt at any desired point when moved to its operativeY position, and means in theI form of an annular 4depression adapted to act as a suction cup provided on the contacting Vface of the flange portion for facilitating in holding the belt at any desired point.

2. In combination with the belt buckle body of the character described, a clamping lever having a loop plate and a flange portion arranged adjacent one side thereof, trunnions carried by said flange portion, said trunnions lying substantially in the same plane with the loop plate and being pivotally mounted on said buckle body and when so mounted said lever will be eccentrically varranged relative to the front plate of the buckle body whereby when moved in one position said lever will be inoperative for clamping the belt and when moved in another position will be eiective for holding the belt at any desired point, and

. means provided on the Acontacting face of the ilange portion in the form of spaced annular depressions adapted each to act as a suction cup for facilitating in holding the free extremity of the belt in operative position.

3. In combination with a belt buckle body of the character described, of a clamping lever having a base and a ilange substantially perpendicular thereto, a loop formed in said base, and trunnions extending from said flange and being pivotally mounted on said buckle body, said trunnions being arranged substantially in the same plane as the bas-e to provide an eccentric mounting, one face of said ilange being provided with an annular cavity which will act as a suction cup when the clamping lever is in operative position for holding the free extremity of the belt at any desired point.

4. The combination of a belt buckle body of the character described, of a clamping lever having a base and a ange formed integrally therewith and arranged substantially perpendicular thereto, said ilange being of substantially rectangular formation and having means associated therewith eccentrically mounting the same on the frontplate of said belt buckle body, said flange having one face thereof adapted for contacting engagement with the belt when in operative position, said last mentioned face having a depression provided therein closed on all sides but one, said open side having the entire periphery thereof in contacting engagement with the belt body when in belt clamping position, so as to form with said belt body a substantially air tight chamber when in such clamping position, whereby said depression will act as a suction cup when brought into contacting engagement with the belt body.

5. The combination of a belt buckle body of the character described, of a clamping lever having a base and a flange formed integrally therewith and arranged substantially perpendicular thereto, said flange being of substantially rectangular formation and having means associated therewith eccentrically mounting the same on the front plate of said belt buckle body, said flange having one face thereof adapted for contacting engagement with the belt when in operative position, said last mentioned face lbeing provided withV a plurality of spaced annular depressions adapted each to act as a suction cup when brought into Y contacting vengagement with the belt.

6. A clamping lever for a belt buckle body of a the character described comprising al body, a flange substantially perpendicular thereto, said ange being of substantially rectangular formation and having means associated therewith for eccentrically mounting the lever upon the front 10@ plate of the buckle-body, one face of said flange being provided with a depression which is closed on all sides excepting the one facing the belt when in belt clamping position, said open side having the entire periphery thereof in contact- 15 ing engagement with the belt body when in such clamping Vposition so as to form a substantially air tight chamber with said belt body when in belt clamping position, whereby said depression will act as a suction cup when brought into con- 20 tacting engagement with the belt.

7. A clamping lever for a belt buckle body of the character described comprising a body portion and a flange substantially perpendicular thereto, a loop formed in said body portion, said 25 flange being of substantially rectangular formation and having means associated therewith for eccentrically mounting the lever upon the front plate of said belt buckle body, one face of said flange being adapted for clamping the free ex- 30 tremity of the belt between it and the front face of the buckle body, said flange face being provided with a plurality of spaced depressions formed therein, said depressions being provided with one open end, the entire periphery of which 35 is in contacting engagement with the belt body when in belt clamping position so as to form with said belt body a substantially air tight chamber when in such clamping position, whereby each of said depressions will act as a suction cup when 40 brought into contacting engagement with the belt.

V8. In a device-of the character described, a belt buckle body comprising a front face, side walls projecting rearwardly therefrom, inwardly extending portions projecting from said side walls, 45

' the rear edges of said inwardly extending portions being folded upon themselves to provide loops, a clamp lever eccentrically mounted within said loops, said clamp lever comprising a loop section and a flange substantially perpendicular thereto,

said flange having a face for contacting the free extremity of the belt when the lever is moved to operative position, said face being provided with a plurality of spaced annular depressions formed 55 therein, each of said depressions acting as a suction cup when brought into contacting engagement with the belt. Y

9. In a belt buckle, a face plate, a lever fulcrumed on the face plate, said lever being pro- 60 vided at one end with a cavity closed on all sides but one said open side having its entire periphery in contacting engagement -with the belt body when in belt clamping position so as to form a substantially air tight chamber with said belt 65 body when in such clamping position, whereby said cavity will be capable of acting as a suction cup when brought into contacting engagement with the belt.

10. In a belt buckle, a face plate, a lever Vful- 70 crumed on the face plate, said lever being provided at one end with a plurality of spaced cavities, each being provided with only one open end, the entire periphery of which open end is in contacting engagement with the belt body when in 75 4Vlr 2,020,371

belt-clampingposition so as, to formwith said belt body a substantially air tightrchamber when in such clamping position, whereby a. partial vacuum will be created in each of said cavities when 5 brought into contacting engagement with thefhelt for facilitating the holding of the latter in operative position.

1l. In a belt buckle, a face plate,4 a.- lever fulcrumedon .the face plate, said lever beingk pro-- vided' at one end with an annular cavityy adapted' to act as a, suction cup when brought into contacting engagement with the belt, said end of the lever having then-cavity being also providedwith a longitudinal ridge arranged independently of said' cavity.

ARMIN H. NAGEL. 

